Fire-escape.



Nb. 648,327. Patentd Apr. 24, 900.

F. H. AMES & w. F. snvsuu.

FIRE ESCAPE.

(Application filed May 10, 1899.) (No Model.) 2 Sheeis$heet l.

No. 648,327. Patented Apr. 24, I900. F. H. AMES & w, F. snvsuu.

F l R E S G A P E (Application filed May 10, 1899.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (No Model.)

A ll94562843,?54,1???$7,545,245,

IN VE N TOHS WITNESSES elevation of the invention, showing portions NITED STATES PATENT Orrice.

FREDQUS H. AMES AND WILLIAM F. BRYSON, OF FORT \VAYNE, INDIANA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.-

SPEGIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 648,327, dated April 24, 1900.

' Application filed May 10, 1899. T ctZZ whom, it ntcty concern: Be it known that we, FREDOUS HJAMES and WILLIAM F. BRYSON,.of Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have inventeda new and Improved Fire-Escape, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a fire-escape of that class in which flexible ladders or analogous structures are mounted on the outer Walls of the building, so that persons within the building may descend by the outside thereof in case of a fire.

The invention is also applicable for use in lowering goods in buildings, such as warehouses and factories.

This specification is the disclosure of one form of our invention, while the claim defines the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the invention in operative position. Fig. 2 is an edge of the building in section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the brake. Fig. 4 is a View showing the pneumatic retardingdevice. Fig. 5 is a fragmentarysection of this device on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a section taken through the upper shaft and drum of the apparatus, and Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view showing the arrangement of the steps or seats on the ladder.

The improved fire-escape has an upper dru m 8 and alowerdrum 9,respective1y mounted on shafts 10 and 11. The drum 9 may be either fast or loose on the shaft 11; but the drum 8 should be fast to the shaft 10 thereof, for purposes which will hereinafter appear.- The drums S and 9 are provided with a number, preferably three, of annular lines of sprocket-teeth 12,respectively engaging three sprocket-chains 14, which form the stringers of the ladder referred to. These chains pass over the drums, so that the persons in the building may move with the chains. The chains 14 are connected with each other to move in unison by means of platforms 15 and bars 16. The platforms 15 are formed of a framing supporting stout wire-netting, and

Serial No. 716,230. (No model.)

the rear bars of the framesof the platforms are pivotally joined to the chains, as shown the right of Fig. 1, and so that the platforms may swing down to folded position, as shown at the left of Fig. 1, in which latter position the platformsare ascending with the chains. For holding the platforms 15 in operative positions we provide two chains 17 and 18, fastened to the respective ends of the adj Listing-bar 16. The chains 18-are passed out to the ends of the platforms and fastened thereto at one side thereof, while the chains 17 are each rigged with a bridle 19, the ends of which are respectively attached to the inner and outer portions of the corresponding platforms. These chains not only serve to support the platforms in operative position, but also form a means for holding on the plat forms the persons escaping. The shafts 10 and 11 are held at their outer ends by means of brackets 20, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2.

The shaft l0,havin g the drum 8 fast thereto, is passed loosely through the wall of the building and provided with a crank 21 at its inner end. This crank 21 has its wrist-pin pivoted to a number of rods 22, each carrying a valveless piston 23, and the pistons respectively working in cylinders 24, mounted at the inner wall of the building. If desired, a plate 25 (see Figs. at and 6) may be provided for this purpose, as shown. The cylinders 24 are open at their inner ends to permit the free passage of the rods 22, which are pivoted to the pistons and have a swinging movement thereon, as will be readily understood. The chains 1t being thus in connection with the pistons 23 and the pistons 23 being arranged in their cylinders so as to move only with great resistance, the chains are thus held from running away and the weight of a great number of persons may be placed on the chains without preventing the chains from safely carrying them to the ground. -Each cylinder has its outer end provided with a head having bores 26 therein, which bores are commanded by a valve 27, situated within the cylinder. The valves 27 are respectively connected with stems 28, which pass out of the cylinder and which slide loosely in thread- '3 2o out from the upper bracket 20. I

ends of the arms 33 each carries a link 35, to

' I respective cylinders.

e'd sleeves 29, held in arms 30, rigid on the The outer end of each stem 28 is provided with a nut 31. Expansive springs 32 engage the valves'27 and bear 1 against portions of the cylinders, tending thus v to throw the valves inward to open position.

As the pistons 23 work in the cylinders the Outstrokes of the pistons will cause the valves may be adjusted tolimit the opening movementsof the valves. y We have devised a brake which is applied to the shaft 10 and'by which it is possible to a bearing between the arms 33, serves normally.- to throw the'arms outvof operative position. I

arrest the movement thereof. This brake, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3, is formed of two arms 33, pivoted to abracket'34, standing The free which links is connected a short lever 36, the free end of which carries a1ine37, passing down to the ground. The arms 33 are respectively provided with shoes 38, which bear against'asm all'drum39, fastened to the shaft 10. By drawing on the line 37 the lever 36 is thrown to move the arms 33 together,'thus forcing the shoes 38 against the drum 39 and applying the brake. An expansive spring 40,

In practice alarms, such as bells or gongs, will be placed in the various rooms along the walls where the escape is located for the pur pose of alarming the inmates of the rooms; but we have not deemed it necessary to illustrate the alarms and their application.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent v v v In a fire-escape, the combination of a revoluble shaft, means connected therewith for carrying the person escaping, such means causing therevolution of the shaft, a crank attached tothe shaft, a number of rods pivoted to the crank, stationary cylinders for each rod, the cylinders being disposed radially to the shaft, a val-veless piston working in each cylinder, the pistons being respec- =tively pivoted to the rods,a valve commanding anorifice in. the outerend of each piston,

a stemattached tofthevalve' and'projecting outside of the piston, a spring engaging the valve, normally to open the same, an arm attachedrigidlyto each cylinder, and threaded sleeves working in the arms and having the stems of the valves passed therethrough,

whereby to regulate the movement/of the valves. V

FREDOUS H..AMES.

v WILLIAM F. BRYSON.

Witnesses: Y

IRA RUPERT-,I WILLIAM B. "HENDERsoN. 

